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Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias verticillata

Whorled Milkweed attracts a variety of pollinators and is a host plant for monarch larvae. It is commonly found in open woods and prairie and grows well in sunny conditions and dry to medium soil. A good addition to prairie restorations.

USDA symbol: ASVE

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height1 to 2 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorWhite
Whorled Milkweed (Whorled Milkweed<div><em class="small">Asclepias verticillata</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceLow
General Resilience7
Salt ToleranceMedium
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, General Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsJune to August
Larval Host ofButterflies, Moths
Specific Pollinators HostedCycnia collaris, Danaus plexippus
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Stem Nesting, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism2
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadMedium
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionAbsent

Range

CountyAnoka, Becker, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Martin, McLeod, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands